Japanese Maple

[Asus101]

one way i see to bring out the femininity in the trunk and give the impression of more movement.

but that would also bring out the tree's main flaw.

if you wanna fix floors then trunk chop it and rebuild it. its not like its fooling anyone the way it is. hey ace what would you do with it?

Firstly, its Asus as in the computer brand... cheers.

Secondly its spelt "flaw"...

Thirdly..
I would grow out two branches, use them as threadgrafts on the lowest part of the trunk. I would also use 1 yeaer old whips to graft new roots, so you dont have the finger in the soil look.
The top would then be layered down to create a few little shohins.

As it is now, its "fooling" better now than it would if you opened up the trunk to show off the straight taperless middle section.

[teejay]

Easy Ace, oversensitivity can be a major floor.

nyuk nyuk.

[63pmp]

Hi everyone,

I decided to think about this one before jumping in.

I think this tree has several problems which haven't been mentioned yet.

I think the tree needs severe pruning, fearing that inside buds are being neglected. Before long all the leaves will be on the outer limits. This will also assist with developing better ramification.

The lower branches are too wide and the whole tree is too tall. I measure it at about 14:1, I'd rather 10:1 or less for maples.

I agree with ace that there should be branches lower down, but I think it may need several. My personal taste is to have branches quite low on maples and deciduous trees, roughly at 1/5 of the way up the trunk.

I also think the roots need work, grafting is an option, as well as strong pruning when potting, and burying the trunk quite deep in a growing pot with good open mix and lots of mulch.

I think the tree is confused in which direction it wants to go, currently the lower 2/3 of the trunk is going left, but the top wants to do other things. By reducing the height, it would fix this and give better ratios. I would also change the planting angle slightly so that the upper portion of the trunk is slightly more upright.

Hard to say what else needs doing because of all the foliage.

Hope people are prepared to give us more of an opinion other than it looks great, do nothing!

Cheers

Paul

[anttal63]

I'm with Antonio on this one and this may be where leigh is heading. I may like to see a branch on the low right bend with antonios virt. I also agree with Teejay it can be nice to see delicate maples above the 6:1 hieght ratio like this one.

brett i thought about a short branch on that 1st right bend and never got to it. tee, im definately not opposed to a taller more feminine height but it needs to be dynamic. this is not and would be a shame to not take it to the next level un less the price is right of course and then some one else can.

[Pup]

The bastard that stole the tree needs the concrete from the floor wrapped round his feet.
I think you are doing wonderfully well considering the flaws this tree has.. Pup

[teejay]

tee, im definately not opposed to a taller more feminine height but it needs to be dynamic.

Sure, I was just voicing my opinion on maples and the 6:1 ratio rule. It has appeared to me that lots of people here will instantly press it as essential, and I just don't find it so important with such varieties.

It'd be good to see the guts of this one without leaves to make a better judgement. But since it's been stolen, I guess we never will.

I ask again, who are these people!

[anttal63]

tee once again i totally agree that japanese maples lend them selves more to the feminine where as tridents can be more macho

this is sad news that it has been stolen

[Scott Roxburgh]

Sorry but could someone please show/tell everyone what the major flaws of the tree are?